Libraries

185 Salisbury Street,
Worcester, MA 01609-1634, 508-755-5221, 508-471-2131
Sun: Closed, Mon, Tue: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Wed: 10:00 AM-8:00 PM, Thu, Fri: 9:00 AM-5:00 PM, Sat: Closed
The American Antiquarian Society, founded in 1812, is the third oldest historical society in the United States and the first to be national in its purpose and the scope of its collections. Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, AAS maintains a library of American history and culture in order to collect, preserve, and make available for study the printed and manuscript record of the United States through the year 1876. The library's collection of materials printed in what is now the United States from the establishment of a press in 1639 through 1820 is the best in the world, and its holdings of American printed materials dating from 1821 through 1876 are among the strongest anywhere. Tours are held Wednesdays at 3:00 p.m.

30 Elm Street,
Worcester, MA 01609, 508-753-8278
Sun, Mon: Closed, Tue, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat: 10:00 AM-4:00 PM
Worcester Historical Museum (WHM) is the only institution devoted to local history. It includes a research library of over 7,000 titles, an archive that houses thousands of documents, and a collection of artifacts, all vital to the study of Worcester history. A few examples of WHMs holdings include correspondence of abolitionist Abby Kelley Foster, Blackstone Canal Company records, Civil War era diaries and letters, and artifacts related to Worcesters industrial past including early woodenware and ceramics, weaponry from the colonial era through World War II, paintings and sculptures, and a significant costume and textile collection.

WHM also owns and operates Salisbury Mansion, Worcesters only historic house museum. Built in 1772, it has been restored to its 1830s appearance and one of the best documented historic houses in New England. Thanks to the voluminous family papers, preserved at the American Antiquarian Society, it is one of the best documented historic houses in New England.

Worcesters history is interpreted through a calendar of exhibitions, educational programming, tours and publications. WHM features both permanent installations and changing exhibitions.

Find out what Worcester was like in centuries past in the library's reading room. The library is open Wednesday-Saturday from 10:00 AM-4:00 PM. The Library and Museum are open until 8:30 PM, every 4th Thursday of the month.Through Thursday, Dec 31, In Their ShirtsleevesThrough Thursday, Dec 31, Stories They TellThrough Thursday, Dec 31, Alden Family Gallery